Genesis literally means origin or beginning. It is the first book, the beginning, of the Bible. It details both the beginnings of history and the beginnings of the people the LORD was creating for himself. In the opening chapters we learn of the creation of the world and everything in it. Though Genesis features God’s creation it also describes the corruption of this creation through sin. However, God’s purposes would not be thwarted. He promised to redeem His people and His creation through the seed of Eve who would crush the serpent and his work. (Gen 3.15). Through this seed all the nations of the earth would be blessed (Gen 12.3). Genesis is the historical development and outworking of that promise despite obstacles that seemed to stand in the way. When we arrive at the New Testament we understand this promise would ultimately be realized in the promised seed Christ Jesus. In pointing forward to the Seed, Genesis lays the groundwork for understanding the rest of Scripture and looking forward to Christ.
BOOK WITHIN A BOOK
It really is difficult to isolate Genesis from the four books that follow—Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy. The history and storyline, along with the common authorship of Moses, tie these 5 books together. Together they comprise the Torah or what we call often call the Pentateuch.
AUTHORSHIP
While Genesis does not explicitly identify its author, we have every reason to believe that these words were penned by Moses. Throughout the Torah we read of God asking Moses to record events, laws, and even songs. These books were later identified as the Book of Moses. Both Jesus (Mt 19.7) as well as other religious leaders (Mt 22.24) simply assumed Moses was the author.
WHEN
The book of Genesis was likely written between Moses leading the people of God out of Egypt and his death. Genesis could have been composed around 1450 B.C., depending on the date of Exodus.
THE BIG PICTURE
It is often useful to understand the big picture of a book before studying the individual parts. Genesis is no exception. Genesis has a unique feature that may provide a clue to its meaning. The word תוֹלְד֧וֹת is used 11 times. It is usually translated “these are the generations of” or “this is the account of.” It is used in 2.4, 5.1, 6.9, 10.1, 11.10, 27, 25.12; 19; 36.1, 9. As a result many read Genesis as a 10 episode story with a prologue.
Others simply divide it into 2 larger sections split between 1.1-11.32 and 12.1-50.26. Derek Kidner has advocated this view in the following outline:
A. THE PRIMEVAL HISTORY (chapters 1–11)
1. The story of creation (1:1–2:3)
2. The probation and fall of man (2:4–3:24)
3. Man under sin and death (4:1–6:8)
4. The world under judgment (6:9–8:14)
5. Renewal and repeopling (8:15–10:32)
6. End and beginning: Babel and Canaan (11:1–32)
B. THE CHOSEN FAMILY (chapters 12–50)
1. Abram under call and promise (chapters 12–20)
2. Isaac and the further tests of faith (chapters 21–26)
3. Jacob and the emergence of Israel (chapters 27–36)
4. Joseph and the migration to Egypt (chapters 37–50)
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1Derek Kidner, Genesis: An Introduction and Commentary, vol. 1, Tyndale Old Testament Commentaries (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1967), 45.